Starter for vapor electric apparatus.



r. C. HEWITT. STARTER vFOR VAPOR ELECTRIC APPARATUS.

APPLVICATION FILED MAYZ?, 1904.

Patented Juy 9, 1.912.

CAD

sieri Il o COPER HETJVETT, 0E' NEVI YORK, N. Y., SSIGNOR TO CGQPER HEWTT ELEG TBEG CMFANY, OF NEW' YORK, N. Y A CQRPGRA'IION F IIEW' YRK.

STARTER FOR VAPOR ELECTRIC APARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 2.7, 1904, Serial No. 210,074.'

T0 all whom t mayconcern Beit known that l, PETER Coornn Hnwrrr,`

:i citizen of the United States, and resident ot New York, county of N ew York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Starters for Vapor Electric Apparatus, of which the following is a"specilication. f

My invention relates to the construction and operation ot' electrie lamps, particularly t that class in which electric current 1s caused ton traverse a niercury or vapor path between two or more electrodes. i

The invention relates particularly to a method of starting the operation of the. lamp and for convenience will he described more particularly in connection with a gas or vapor lamp in which one or more of the electrodes consists of nier-curl.

As is well known current wnl traverse the vapor path between the electrodes when the device has once heen started under the influence of a lower ditterenee. of potential than 'is usually required for starting' it. For this reason, various means have been eni- ,iiloyed for producing an initial current ot higher clectro-inotive-torce nndapplying saine to terminals of zi, device for the purpose ot' breaking down the initial resistance. By causing a temporary electrical eonnection between the electrodes and then loreak-V ing the saine, .it is also 'possible to conveniently starrt the, tlow ot' current through the device.

The presentV in ention relates to special ineens for providing,r such connection and consists generally in establishing a. small thin connection ot' mercury between the electrodes :rnd causing saine to he interrupted when it is desired to start the flow of current.

` 'l'lie invention will oo described more per tieularly in the accompanyingdrawing which illustrates the inventioii as applied to a vapor lamp, altlmugh it will he understood that the invention is also applicable to electric current rectitiers and other zipparatus for trunstorrning electrical energy. The two figures illustrate two 'forms of lamp having my inve-anion applied thifsrcto.

teferring to the drawing, ,l represents an "stream and causes theinercury inclosing chamber provided in this instance device is in an approximately horizontal position a thin long bridge of mercury connects the two electrodes with each other. A slight tilting of the device separates the composing the connecting' bridge to pass to the lower eleetrode. The construction ofi the device is such that n su'tiicient quantity of mercury will remain at the upper end of the tube to forni an. electrode. Electrical connections are. inode with respective electrodes by means of suitable leadingdn conductors, i and J. A convenient holder, (3, is employed for stipporting the device and permitting of its heing" tipped as required. The device is provided with esuitahle heat radiating cepaeity. lt is understood that instead of hai/ing" bolli electrodes of inerury, it is possible to have one of the electrodes of metal, such iron, as shown by Figure 2 at if, the mercury melting contact witl both electrodes when the device in its liorizi'intal position .and Flowing; to the other electrode 3 when Utilted. One end of eiiclii lamp is connected with a support, i', by means of zi ring, 8, ande link connection, 9, the whole structure serving as a .pivot on which 'the isnip can inove when die holder t5 is reeiprocateil.

Bis a convenient means for tilting the apf parstus, l may connect with the holder tl z" cord, l0, extending over a. pulley, ll, anni having,v at its opposite end a ring, or handle, l2, by n'ieans of which the .cord can be pulled and the holder moved or tilted @n the corel l may place a hall, 1&3, which may cooperate with a catch, li, secured to a suitable Support, so Vthat when the ball is placed under the catch as shown in. dotted .lines in the draw ,I die lamp i vill he held in the. pos:- is drawn.

tion to which it l claim as my inyentionrvapor electric apparatus comprising` a lmnp, sind lainp incl ruling an exhausted con-- taii'ier havingi a relatively long,- straight tuliular portion, suitable electrodes in said` container, and lever erin pivoted at one enel and supporting 'the lamp hy e flexible link neer the other and a separat-e flexible i Q v1,031,931

support for the other end of the lamp, to- Signed at New York, in the county of gather with moord and pulley for raising or New York, and State of New York, this lowering the -free end of said lever arm 23rd day of Mey A. 1).-1904. whereby a thread of mercury may be formed PETER COOPER HEWTT. or broken between said electrodes and anlfitnesses:

Chor means for holding said tube in an in- R. A. HEWITT,

,elined position. W'M. H. CAPEL l. 

